How to Wire a Plug

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Faulty plugs can cause accidents, but fortunately they are a simple problem to fix. A plug can fail for several reasons such as a blown fuse or loose wiring. A faulty plug should be replaced as soon as it is identified for safety reasons; use our guide to do so safely.

Step 1

Remove Outer Cover

Take off the outer cover of the plug by removing the screw in between the three pins.

Step 2

Check Fuse

Ensure the plug contains a suitable fuse. The standard 13 amp fuse is the most common, although this may vary depending on the particular appliance. Refer to each individual device’s user manual for further guidance on the correct fuse type.

Step 3

Strip Back Cord’s Outer Covering

Measure the cord against the plug. Strip back the cord’s outer covering carefully so it will reach just inside the cord grip when reattached. Usually it will have to be stripped back several centimetres.

Step 4

Examine Wiring

Three coloured conductor wires will be exposed when the cord grip is stripped. Familiarise yourself with each, noting that blue is neutral, brown is live and green/yellow is earth.

Step 5

Strip Back Conductors

Strip back the outer covers on each wire roughly 10mm to expose their inner wiring.

Step 6

Twist & Secure Wiring

Twist the exposed wire of each conductor with your fingers to ensure a secure grip before inserting and securing each into the three terminals as follows: blue to N, brown to L, and green/yellow to E.
Next, tighten the cord grip while ensuring the grip is secured against the complete outer white covering of the cord. The grip should not be secured directly on the exposed coloured conductors. Extreme care must be taken at this point as failure to ensure the grip is secure may result in a future accident. Replace the outer cover of the plug and secure it in place with the screw.